The Irish Medical Organisation is reported to be drawing up plans for an escalation of the industrial action by public health doctors.
The IMO, which represents the 270 doctors striking for the past 12 days over pay and conditions said it was angered by comments made at their meeting in Killarney, Co Kerry, yesterday by the Minister for Health, Mr Martin.
The minister - under pressure because of intense criticism directed at the Ggovernment's handling of the SARS issue - accused the striking medical health doctors of "a total abandonment of responsibility".
This led to an agreement by the conference to widen their action against the Government, and methods of stepping up the process are being examined this weekend.
It is expected that general practitioners, consultants and junior doctors will lend full support to their colleagues.
The IMO has already rejected an invitation to talks on the dispute at the Labour Court.